Spoonsepal spineflower facts for kids

The spoonsepal spineflower (scientific name: Chorizanthe obovata) is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the buckwheat family. This plant is special because it only grows in California. You can find it in the mountains of the Central Coast Range. It grows from Monterey all the way down to Santa Barbara Counties.

What Does the Spoonsepal Spineflower Look Like?

The spoonsepal spineflower can look different from one plant to another. Some plants grow flat along the ground. Others stand up tall. Their stems can reach up to about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) long.

Stems and Leaves

The plant's leaves and stems are often reddish or gray-green in color. They also feel a bit hairy. This texture helps them survive in their natural habitat.

Flowers and Bracts

The flowers of the spoonsepal spineflower grow in a cluster. This cluster is called an inflorescence. Around the flowers, there are six special leaf-like parts called bracts. Most of these bracts have tiny, hooked tips. These tips are called awns. The longest bract might have a straight awn instead of a hooked one. The flowers themselves are quite small, only about 4 or 5 millimeters wide. They can be white or a light pink color.

Where Does the Spoonsepal Spineflower Live?

This unique plant grows in specific places in California. It likes areas called chaparral and woodland habitats. Chaparral is a type of shrubland. It has tough, woody shrubs and small trees. These areas often have dry summers and mild, wet winters. The spoonsepal spineflower is perfectly adapted to these conditions.